The Minnesota Governor’s budget proposal contains many of the legislative priorities of the State Farmers Union. Government Relations Director Stu Lourey says the plan includes many opportunities for the state’s farmers and ranchers such as expansion of meat processing facilities and biofuel infrastructure as well as a new climate smart ag program.

He says the Governor’s budget proposal also includes funding for farmers who want to grow industrial hemp.

Lourey says more budget details will come out later this month.

Lourey says those programs are critical in supporting the state’s ag industry which has been suffering under the effects of the pandemic.